Media Centre

COP

Academy Staff

Mike Norton
Sport Manager, Canmore
Mike started with Winsport back in the Fall of 1999 working on the ski jumps and snowmaking, he eventually went on to become supervisor of the snowmaking operation and then onto grooming for three years. Mike’s athletic background and administration skills made him a perfect fit for the Sport department so he made the move in 2007 working with Nordic Sports and managing the Farnham Glacier. Currently Mike manages the Winsport Canmore operation which includes the Bill Warren Training Center, the Haig Glacier, The Athlete Housing at the Spray Village and now the newly formed Winsport Junior Ski Team. Mike has represented Canada at the International level in the sports of paddling, Rugby, and Triathlon; he currently is an avid Cross Country skier, paddler, and Mt Biker and races as a master on a regular basis in all three. Mike currently sits on the board of directors for Cross Country Canada and was previously on the board for Cross Country Alberta for 4 years. He is also a counselor for the Kananaskis Improvement District. Mike is very passionate about Sport and Healthy living.

Jody Hope
Administrative Assistant, Academy
Jody is a native Calgarian who has experienced the growth of WinSport from its days as Paskapoo. A graduate of SAIT with a Certified Travel Counsellor designation, Jody has worked in a variety of industries including travel, new home constructions, and oil and gas. Her passion for sport has led her to WinSport and continues to be an important part of her life. Jody is an active volunteer in her community.

Rex Thomas
Freeski A SS Coach, Academy
Rex grew up in Golden, BC but spent the majority of his competitive and coaching career in Vernon, Whistler and Vancouver. Rex began skiing at the age of 6 and hasn’t looked back since. He began freestyle skiing in 1996 and made the Canadian National Team in 1999. In the late 2000’s, Rex entered the professional ranks as a slopestyle, big air and halfpipe specialist, finding himself travelling around the world competing and attending photo shoots. Rex had multiple podium results at World Skiing Invitational and many other international events. He is also a 4 time X-games competitor. Rex is extremely excited to be a part of the WinSport Academy where he can continue to give back to freestyle skiing and unlocking each athlete’s potential.

Jeremy Cooper
Freeski A HP Coach, Academy
Jeremy is originally from Vancouver, but has spent most of his competitive and coaching career in Whistler and Vernon. He has been involved with freestyle skiing for more than a decade. His roots began as an independent competitor, but took a bright turn when he started skiing and coaching for the Silver Star Freestyle Club. Jeremy has coached athletes at an international level in halfpipe and slopestyle and has great success helping athletes reach podiums at major events. He is also an AFP sanctioned judge and CFSA learning facilitator who enjoys mentoring and educating coaches in the freeskiing community. Jeremy is excited to be a part of the WinSport Academy and to work with such a talented team of athletes and coaches.

Chip Milner
Freeski B Coach, Academy
Chip comes from Cleveland, Ohio and has been coaching Freestyle for 16 years. He has coached four future Olympians during their development years. Chip has been in the sport of Freestyle for over 30 years; six years competing on the US Freestyle Ski Team with over 50 world cup starts and two US national championships under his belt. He loves coaching now because he is a mentor, participating in his athletes’ accomplishments and knowing he is a positive and supportive influence in their development as an athlete and in life.

Ken Rhodes
Mogul Coach, Academy
Ken comes from Whistler, B.C., and has been a ski coach for more than 20 years. He was a competitive moguls skier from 1986 to 1994, when he competed nationally and internationally. A CSIA Level 4 facilitator and a master facilitator for the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association (CFSA), Ken was most recently contracted to develop Olympic athletes for the Korean Ski Association and was the head coach for the Korean freestyle team. Ken has built many successful programs for Whistler Blackcomb ski school and the Whistler Blackcomb Freestyle Ski Association. Through his work with CFSA, Alberta Freestyle Ski Association (AFSA) and the B.C. Freestyle Ski Association, Ken has vast knowledge and experience, allowing him to develop competitive skiers at any stage. Ken looks forward to building a strong moguls program within the WinSport Academy that inspires young athletes to achieving their dreams.

Mike Stastook
Snowboard A SS Coach, Academy
Mike is our most experienced snowboard coach, with 13 years sharing his passion and leading others. The Campbell River, B.C. native is a former provincial snowboarding champion, with several podium finishes at national competitions. Under his guidance, Mike has coached many athletes to the podium in the X-Games, the Burton Open Series, Canadian national championships and at the Canada Winter Games – just to name a few. When he’s not on the snow, he enjoys other fun and creative activities such as skateboarding, unicycling and wakesurfing.

Josh Duncan
Snowboard A HP Coach, Academy
Josh comes from London, Ontario and has been coaching Snowboarding for seven years. As a youth he found snowboarding when he was 14 years old and finished 6th at the first World Cup Halfpipe competition he competed in. He loves watching his athletes make their first podium finish regardless of the level of competition. Josh hopes that the things he teaches his athletes can transcend in to their everyday lives.

Quinn Thomas
Snowboard B Coach, Academy
Quinn is a native Calgarian, who began snowboarding at the age of 8 at Canada Olympic Park. He found boardercross racing at the age of 12 and began his competitive career in snowboarding. Quinn competed in both boardercross and PGS with success at the provincial and NorAm level with his coach, Mark Ballard. Quinn began instructing with Canada Olympic Park’s Snow School in 2006. In 2012, Quinn joined the Academy as the Assistant coach for the Snowboard B Team. Quinn has brought a strong foundation of technical skills to these athletes and has grown into a strong slopestyle and halfpipe coach. Quinn’s goal is to nurture the competitive spirit in his athletes and strives to inspire every athlete to continuously grow and develop passion for the sport of snowboarding.

Rhys Ellis
DH Mtn. Bike B Coach, Academy
Rhys comes from Jasper, AB and has been coaching Downhill Mountain biking for 7 years. Growing up in Jasper National Park, mountain biking was a large part of his life early on. With a background in competitive slopestyle, Rhys competed in local events all the way through to events such as Crankworx Colorado. Rhys took his passion for the sport and began sharing his knowledge through coaching, while still competing and staying current with the mountain biking community. Rhys is also currently enrolled at the University of Calgary in Kinesiology, majoring in Coaching and Pedagogy. Rhys looks forward to making professional coaching available to mountain bike athlete and to continue to develop Alberta mountain biking and its talented athletes.

Eric de NysCross Country Ski Coach, Academy
A ten year veteran of Canada’s national team coaching and technical staff, Eric de Nys has led athletes at three Olympic Games. A graduate of the National Coaching Institute after competing for Canada on its development squad, and at the 1994 World Junior Ski Championships, de Nys has spent the last two seasons working as the National Ski Team’s women’s coach. Eric de Nys has joined the WinSport Academy and will bring a wealth of experience to the athletes on the WinSport Junior Cross Country Ski Team.